Head of Merchandising

To create and deliver the retail strategy for the Groups strategic direction across all our retail division

To lead the merchandising team to deliver a commercial range of products on time and in full to the market to achieve the budgeted sales and contribution.

Client Details

A great opportunity for a Head of Merchandising to join a leading multi channel retailer in the Leeds area who are known for their internal progression. They are an established business that have been trading for a number of years. They sell through a number of different channels, store, ecommerce, wholesale etc.

Description

• Assist the HOM to ensure all product strategies are executed in line with the overall business needs
• Assist the HOM with range planning including; analysis of previous seasons sales by pre-agreed attributes, proactively work with the HOM in updating the range plan forecasts throughout the season based on the business needs
• Support the HOM to communicate information effectively to all levels of the management team
• Support the HOM in preparation for seasonal launches including; summaries of previous seasons sales and current seasons delivery performance
• Manage a designated area / range taking daily control for all aspects under the guidance of your HOM. Within this you will present back to the HOM all findings for their consideration
• Develop detailed budgets to cover Sales, Returns, Margin and Intake for your designated area under the guidance of your HOM, presenting all workings to the HOM for their consideration
• People:
• Assist in training and supporting the departmental MDA where applicable.

• Updating and maintaining the weekly sales and margin reports, identifying any anomalies and understanding the reason behind these, feeding back your findings to the HOM
• Re-forecast the Wholesale sales and margin on a weekly basis, always maintaining a current view for your designated area/range and reporting any changes to the HOM
• Manage and set up the department critical path which includes chasing suppliers to adhere to deadlines. Participate in the CP meeting.
• Manage the SMS order process to ensure all critical dates are maintained
• Assist the HOM with stock, sales and cash flow via WSSI, Line Cards and/or Payment Schedules
• Manage OTB for your designated area/range via WSSI and report any changes or anomalies to the HOM
• Assist the HOM in the identification of over stocks and provide all necessary support to the HOM in clearing old / slow moving stock
• Monitoring all stock intake and stock levels for the relevant brands / warehouse / customers and ensuring stock is processed in a timely manner
• Ensuring the right stock is in the right place at the right time whether this is for Wholesale, Ecommerce or SMU
• Weekly review of core line cards and highlight any potential sales /stock risk to the HOM
• Producing size-scales and raising; cloth requisitions, purchase orders (bulk and samples), barcodes (where appropriate)
• Maintenance of the buying minutes and other functions including; activating products, entering price lists, entering production, cutting cloth, amending quantities and delivery dates when required
• Assisting the HOM in seasonal planning and providing forecasts to the buyers / suppliers
• Liaise with suppliers to ensure products are despatched to the agreed ex-factory date.
• Liaise with the sales team and customers to ensure that they are fully updated on all deliveries and answer any relevant queries
• Attend key internal and supplier meetings alongside the HOM. Complete all meeting minutes for the HOM.
• Review assess and present sales and margins in line with weekly trading meetings.
• In the absence of an MDA on the team - manage the daily office duties including; booking train tickets, maintaining the attendance register, ordering stationary
• To adhere to the Bonded Warehouse sampling procedure - raising orders for all samples entering the warehouse
• Set up any required new reports under the guidance of the HOM
• Identifying any training needs of the MDA and ensuring relevant training is provided
• Complete the EBIS invoice checking on the accounts system where appropriate
• Providing regular and ad hoc reports for internal/external teams and customers

Profile

• Financial awareness and understanding of departmental budgets and margins
• Commercial and competitor awareness
• Strong housekeeping and organisational skills
• Numeracy
• Effective communicator
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Team player
• Good visual presentation skills
• Time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Self-motivated

Job Offer

• A generous holiday allowance of 25 days plus bank holidays.
• Early finish on a Friday
• Free parking
• Hybrid working
• An opportunity to play a key role in a leading retail company.

Head of Merchandising

Head of Merchandising

Head of Merchandising